What is Vegetarianism?Vegetarianism is a popular dietary practice, philosophy and way of living that excludes all animal flesh and organ meats (such as liver, brain, and thymus), fish (including shellfish and other creatures of the sea, poultry and fowl. There are several variants of the diet, but the most common is lacto-ovo vegetarianism which includes dairy and eggs.

Health Benefits of VegetarianismAfter much vigorous debate over the years, the America Dietetic Association has now concluded that a balanced, properly-planned and conscientiously executed vegetarian diet will satisfy the nutritional needs for all stages of life, from birth to old age. Many well-documented and reputable medical studies have shown that adopting the vegetarian diet can significantly lower risks of cancer, heart bowel and liver disease, osteoporosis, and other fatal diseases. All of life’s necessary nutrients: amino acids, protein, vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids and micronutrients can be found in abundance in vegetables, grains, nuts, soymilk, eggs and dairy.

What is Veganism?A vegan (pronounced vee-gun) follows the strictest form of vegetarianism; it is someone who does not consume animal or dairy products of any kind including all animal by-products, such as honey. Vegans eat plant products only. Adopting the vegan diet usually goes far beyond what type of food a person consumes and is more of a way of life, as most vegans aspire to eschew animal products of any kind for their personal use, such as leather clothing, shoes or car seats, or products tested on animals, such as cosmetics and soaps. Veganism, as a philosophy, has at its core the desire to abolish all cruelty and exploitation of animals in such areas as zoos, circuses and television advertisements.

Health Benefits of VeganismThe touted health benefits of a vegan diet include all those listed for vegetarianism, but go further to include lower cholesterol levels and lower incidence of osteoporosis, heart disease and colorectal cancers. The reason for this is largely due to the high saturated fat content and cholesterol in dairy and egg products. Dr. T Colin Campbell’s landmark medical work, The China Study, clearly and concisely presents incontrovertible evidence that switching to a vegan diet will dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

CaveatsVegan diets are generally lower in Vitamin B-12, the fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E, and K and in some cases, Iron. Therefore, it is very important to consider a supplement program to ensure your body is getting all it needs.

What is Raw Foodism?Raw Foodism, Rawism, or Living Foodism is a dietary lifestyle that advocates the consumption of uncooked, unprocessed foods in as close to their natural state as possible. Often, but not always, rawism is based on the fundamental principles of veganism and organic foods; there are some people who choose to eat raw dairy, eggs, and in some cases, raw meat. Generally speaking, if a person’s total raw food consumption falls somewhere between 60-100% then they are considered to be a raw foodist or living foodist.

Why Raw?1. Cooking foods above 115 degrees Fahrenheit destroys many nutrients2. Cooked foods tend to reduce immunity, clog the intestines and colon, leading to ills such as cancer and diabetes.3. The raw food diet is the natural diet of all wild creatures; raw is simply the natural way to nourish your body.

Health Benefits of Raw Foodism• People adhering to a mostly raw and living diet generally report many extreme health benefits such as:• Abundant energy• Better digestion and increased absorption of nutrients• Enhanced and more youthful physical appearance• Deeper sense of spirituality and mindfulness• Greater physical endurance and flexibility• Better control over weight gain• Increased libido and sexual performance

Gluten-Free DietA gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein, gluten. Gluten proteins are found in wheat (durum, emmer, spelt, farina, farro, KAMUT® Khorasan wheat and einkorn), rye, barley and triticale. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as glue that holds food together. Gluten can be found in numerous types of foods, even ones that would not be expected.

The gluten-free diet is primarily used to treat celiac disease. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease. Eating a gluten-free diet benefits people with celiac disease to control their signs and symptoms and prevent complications. People living with non-celiac gluten sensitivity also benefit from a gluten-free diet. There are no other alternatives to cure or manage celiac disease other than to stick to the strict 100% gluten-free diet.

Those who are gluten-free can still enjoy a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, beans, legumes and most dairy products. Such ingredients are naturally gluten-free, and safe for individuals who do not have allergies to these particular food groups.